Reading through the Chronicle archives is always a fun exercise, particularly when it comes to a watering hole that is nearly 50 years old, like La Barca (2036 Lombard St.).

Herb Caenmentioned it often, such as the time La Barca invented a cocktail in the wake of that Singapore caning controversy in the early '90s. The drink's name? Singapore Ass-in-a-Sling.

In 1985, to rev up for the Super Bowl, La Barca had a special 49er Red and Gold Margarita on offer, though that might have paled in comparison to the oh-so-'80s Twin Peaks Tavern special of "The Ray Wersching Machine" (vodka and peach schnapps).

In more recent years, then-Mayor Gavin Newsomwas known to sing with La Barca's mariachis.

Alas, La Barca is sailing off into the sunset.

It's been sold to a group of four partners: Tod Alsman and Chris Fogarty(both of R Bar and Wreck Room), Cass Fegan(Sloane), and perhaps most notably, Vance Bernard- son of longtime La Barca owner Jimmy Bernard. The younger Bernard has been running La Barca for the past few years.

The quartet plans to revamp the 120-seat restaurant and bar, and though they are still deciding on the new concept, they know it won't be Mexican.

So, it's adios to La Barca, probably in a few months; a closing date hasn't been set yet.

Calling an audible: In March, Aziza chef-owner Mourad Lahloumade headlines when he signed a lease for a new downtown location (500 Jackson St.). At the time, his plan was to give the space a complete overhaul, gutting the interior and moving the entrance around the corner to Montgomery Street.

Six months later, the plan has been nixed. Details are scarce, but Lahlou confirms that he's decided to walk away from the location, the site of bygone restaurants like Cypress Club, Scott Howardand Zinnia.

He says he'll continue to look for a new space, adding that he enjoys the Jackson Square neighborhood and the support he received from nearby chefs like Michael Tusk (Quince) and Daniel Patterson(Coi).

But Lahlou has enough to stay busy. He released his first cookbook this week, and Aziza remains up and running in the Richmond (5800 Geary St.).

Expansion team: Speaking of branching out, Gerald Hirigoyenhas taken over the space next door to his Embarcadero-area restaurant Piperade (1015 Battery St.) and will turn it into a private dining and special-event space.

Its name will be Lauburu, the name of the Basque cross that Hirigoyen says symbolizes a celebration of life and prosperity. It's a thought that's been on Hirigoyen's mind lately, as Piperade is poised to celebrate its 10th anniversary next year.

Topped off: Located in a century-old building, Novato's Hilltop 1892 (850 Lamont Ave.) has one of the best views in the North Bay. Now it also has a new chef.

Nicolas Abrams comes from another notable Marin restaurant, the nearby Buckeye Roadhouse, where he was executive sous chef. He's already made changes to the menu, which he bills as "classic American" with a California style.

Oakland dispatch: Beauty's Bagel Shop has been building buzz by providing its Montreal-style bagels to local restaurants, but now Blake Joffeand Amy Remsenhave found a brick-and-mortar location. They hope to open the new shop (3838 Telegraph Ave.) early next year for breakfast and lunch.

Also in Oakland, Sidebar (542 Grand Ave.) is experiencing some changes behind the scenes. The husband-and-wife team of Barbara Mulasand Mark Drazek have bought out the 50 percent ownership of the restaurant's third partner, Anne Marie Adrain, and are now the sole owners.

Wine, no: Mark Lugo, the ex-sommelier who was accused of going on a rather epic crime spree, swiping valuable artwork and $2,000 bottles of wine, pleaded guilty last week to stealing a Picasso sketch from a Union Square art gallery. Naturally, this report is a good excuse to mine some of the more clever reader comments from the Inside Scoop SF blog. A sampling:

"The wind blew the art into his hand and he thought it would be rude to return it."

"I hope they offer good wine pairings with the prison meals."

"Thank goodness he was caught before he advanced to stealing rare French cheeses!"